It is also know that F-16s from Italy had the range and could have been on station in under 2 hours. Remember no one asked for flyover rights that day. The drone had clearance only because it was asked for prior to the attack.
I agree. But once identified, you would then have to go through the bureaucratic requirements to use them. I want a complete accounting of what assets were available. I understand from some who have knowledge that there were other assets that were available that could have prevented the attack on the annex.
It is also know that F-16s from Italy had the range and could have been on station in under 2 hours. Remember no one asked for flyover rights that day. The drone had clearance only because it was asked for prior to the attack.
As the retired general said on ABC, it is not a matter of just getting the keys out and jumping into an aircraft. Flight clearances, mobilization, arming the aircraft, etc. would add time. And according to Panetta and Dempsey there were no tankers available.
Personally, I believe that flight clearances were not asked for political reasons--domestic and foreign. Obama would have has to notify Congress this was happening and there were probably concerns that our bilateral relations with Libya would be harmed, especially if there was collateral damage. And Obama was scared to death of a Desert One replay.